Dr Wallace said the cake was baked with a hole in the middle to represent the gap formed by Gateshead in the middle of a devolved North East.

Gateshead Council once again voted against a multibillion pound devolution deal on Tuesday - prompting criticism from opposition leaders and businesses.

Dr Wallace said: “I congratulate Martin on his election but there are some significant issues that he now needs to face as leader of the council.”

He added: “I hope Martin enjoys the cake. After all, if devolution goes ahead without Gateshead, we will not get a slice of the regional funding cake. Devolution without Gateshead will definitely not be a case of having our cake and eating it for residents.”

Gateshead has to date indicated a desire not to participate in the process and as such is likely to be classified as a non consenting authority (NCA).

If this position is maintained then the Government will be prompted to make an exclusion order to remove the NCA from the North East Combined Authority .